Bicycle



( o, L'EPLATTENIER. 1

BICYCLE,

NO. 438,684. Patented Oct. 21, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE.

CHARLES LEPLATTENIER, OF OHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent iO. 438,684, dated October 21, 189.

Application filed J'uly 29,1890. Serial No. 360 .278. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concerm Be it known that I, CHARLES LEPLAT- TENIER, a citizen ofthe Untcd States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, which are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which Figure 1 shows my bicycle in side elevation. Fig. 2 shows the same in plan view in position to move in a circular course. Fig. 3 shows, 011 an enlarged scale, 011e end of an axle to which is attached One of the driving-drums With its clutch mechanism and one end of a treadle and mechanism for raising the treadle, said treadle being shown at right angles to its normal position.

Like letters refer to like parts.

The object of my invention is to produce a bicycle in which the propelling force is applied to both wheels, and at the same time enabling two or more persons t0 ride and all apply their force t0 propel the machine; and in order to attain said ends I construct my new device in substantially the following manner, namely: The fore and rear wheels are connected by any suitable framing, and preferably as here shown, and so as to have in any case a back c practically parallel, or nearly 50, with the treadles d. Each of the wheels a and 17 may be made to turn to either side of the plane of the machine in the same manner as the front Wheel is shown in the drawings. Each of the ends of the wheel-axles projects beyond the supports f, and is provided With a fixed clutch part g and a 10056 clutch part g. To the outer end of the latter is attached a drum h, and to the outer end of the axle and surrounding it is attached a coiled spring i, pressing With its enter end against a nut or washerj and with its inncr end on the said drum h, Which thcrcby causes the two parts g and g of the clutch t0 engage, and at the same time allow the necessary re versing motion of the said drums, which raises the treadle d by allowing the teeth of the said clutch t0 slip over each other, said teeth being made very shallow and the inclined planes betwecn them long, 50 as to move casily. Aroundsaid drums is wound a cord k, or like device, With any required numbcr of turns on the drum to obtain the necessary friction so as to prevent slipping on the drum; or, if prefcrred, said cord may befastened at its center -directly and permancntly to said V drum by a suitable pin 10, p'rovided a suffrcient number of turns run around said drum on either side of the pin la so as to allow for the necessary motion. One end of said cord is attached to a spring Z, which may be fast. ened to the leg of the standard or support J by a bracket Z, as here shown, or in any other convenient manner, so as to cause by its contraction the drum to turn and wind np the other end of the cord, carrying the treadle-bar d. Each of the four ends of the axles 6 projects, and is provided With such a drum and cord and mechanism 'to Wind it as already the lowcr ends of said cord is attached a long treadle d, said cords and all being wound and attached so as to cause the applied force to turn both wheels in the same direction.

The operation of my improved bicycle is now plainly stated, and easily understood. Each downward motion of the treadles causes the forward revolution of the drums, and thus of the wheels a and b. When the downward strokc of the treadle is cxhausted, which stroke may be long or short, at pleasure, the pressure upon it is released, and the contraction of the spring or springs Z now causes the released treadles, drums, and cords to move in the opposite direction, and thus bring the treadle back to its highest position, when the downward motion is repeated, and so On.

It may also be mentioned that other arrangements for operating the treadles may be employedas, for instance, that used in what is known as the Star bicycle, wherein the downward force of one treadle mises the opposite oncthe chief novelty in my devicc being the treadle-bar, which connects and drives both wheels, and in connection With it the long saddle-bar adapted to carry two or more riders.

What I claim is 1. In a bicycle, the combination, With the axles and trcadles connecting the outer ends of said axles and actuating them, of the reciprocally-tnrning dru ms attachcd to the ends of said axles and mechanism connecting said treadles and drnms, substantially as specified.

2. In a bicycle, the combination, wth t-he ends of the axles and trcadles to connect and actuate thcm, of the clutched and reciprocatng drums attachcd to the cnds 'of sad axles and mechanism to connect and actuate said axles and drums, substantally as spccified.

In a bicycle, thc combnation, With the back c, ax1es e, springs Z, and treadles (I, of the reciprocating drmns attached to the ends'of said axles and the mcchanism to connect and actuatc said dm ms and treadles, substantiaily as specified.

anism to connect and actnate said drmns and 25 treadlcs, substantiafly as specfied.

CHARLES LEPLATTENIER.

Wtnesses:

ANTON FOUGNER, 7M. ZIMMERMAN. 

